Invitro Activity of Fosfomycin Alone and in Combination with Other Antibiotics against Multi Drug Resistant – E. coli for Treatment at a Tertiary Care Hospital of Karachi

Abstract

Background: MDR Escherichia coli (MDR E. coli) has emerged as a serious public health issue in Pakistan and other countries throughout the world, causing treatment failure and a significant health burden.

Aim:The goal of this study was to assess the prevalence and susceptibility of MDR E. coli isolated from patients at a tertiary care hospital of Karachi.

Method:E. coli (n = 439) was isolated from clinical specimens, identified, and tested for antibiotic susceptibility using conventional procedures between June and August 2021.

Results: Of the 439E.coli isolates, the majority were from urine (55%). MDR E. coli were present in 176 (40.1%). Of these, the resistance percentage were recorded to: Gentamicin 60%, Moxifloxacin 15%, Ciprofloxacin 40%, Amoxicillin 20%, Fosfomycin 10% and Ceftolozane/Tazobactum 5%. Female isolates were more resistant than male isolates. The antibacterial drug combination with Fosfomycin demonstrated a significant difference (p- 0.002).

Conclusion: Drug resistance monitoring and epidemiologic analysis of patient data are required on a regular basis and can provide useful information for antimicrobial resistance management.